Snorkeling & Diving

     There are several professional dive and snorkel tour operators that will ensure you a fantastic time. They provide instruction, rental gear, tanks and guided trips to the reefs for experienced or novice divers. 
     You can snorkel in the little coral gardens right off the north side of SlipAway.  Mermaid Reef , which is just off the north shore of Pelican Shores near the Jib Room is also very close to SlipAway.   It’s small but there are a lot of fish because they are fed.  It’s so close to shore, that you can swim out from land.  Take some dry cat food in a plastic baggy, look for the floating sign and go feed the fish.  Moorings are available for your use.

     There are larger sites that are a little farther away and accessible by boat.   The two best are Fowl Cay and Pelican Cay.   Fowl Cay is a couple of miles NE between Man O' War and Scotland Cay.  Pelican Cays Land & Sea Park, a 2100 acre preserve, is located a short boat ride south.  Fowl Cay & Pelican Cays Park are perhaps the best snorkeling & scuba diving in all of the Abacos.

     All three sites (Fowl Cay, Mermaid Reef, & Pelican Cay Park) are protected undersea parks, where it is illegal to take fish, or even shells. However, there are also several other reef areas that are not protected parks.   You can get a chart book at most of the marinas in town.  If you go by boat, remember not to anchor on the reef - It kills the coral.   Pick up a mooring if there is one, or anchor in the sand nearby and swim over. Never take live Coral! Never stand on a reef! It takes years to grow back the damage that you can cause by being careless even for just a few moments. 

© 2003 Cheryl Lawrence
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